To the Brain & Beyond

The story

This image offers a glimpse into the intricate world of cerebrospinal fluid, which flows around the central nervous system. Traditionally seen as providing protection and nourishment, it was recently found to also clear toxic solutes and proteins from the brain. The glymphatic system, as it is called, has become a key focus for understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases. Advanced techniques combining optical tissue clearing and light-sheet microscopy now allow researchers to image the entire cerebrospinal fluid network without dissection, revealing previously hidden details.

Research area

The glymphatic brain clearance system.

Impact

Understanding the glymphatic system’s role in clearing toxic proteins from the brain can lead to breakthroughs in treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. By visualizing these processes, we can
develop better therapeutic strategies to enhance brain health.

Image description

The image presents a 3D visualization of a mouse head and spine after injection of a fluorescent tracer into the cerebrospinal fluid, followed by optical clearing. The tracer illuminates the pathways through which cerebrospinal fluid circulates and exits via the nasal area and along the spine. The path along the perivascular spaces is also visible, highlighting the glymphatic system’s architecture. This depiction provides an intricate view of how waste clearance occurs in the brain.

Credits

Marios Kritsilis, Lund University Bioimaging Centre (LBIC)